The grants were awarded under the Doctors Across New York (DANY) program, which assists in the training and placement of physicians in rural and inner-city areas where a shortage of health care providers has been identified.

"Many communities in New York face challenges in finding and retaining qualified health care providers," Commissioner Shah said. "These awards are the latest investment under the Doctors Across New York program to bolster health care services in rural and inner-city areas to ensure that residents in these communities have access to quality care."

Under the Physician Practice Support program, applicants are eligible for grants of up to $100,000 over a two-year period. The grants will help hospitals and health care facilities recruit new physicians and assist physicians in designated communities to establish or join practices in underserved areas. In addition, awards were made to physicians practicing in rural or inner-city areas to assist them with repayment of their educational loans.

Awards require a two-year service commitment from physicians to practice in the underserved community. Grant recipients were selected through a Request for Applications.